mac58
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by mac58 on Feb 19, 2019 17:32:10 GMT
I have never used a CNC machine before and I am looking at either the M3 or Carve King. I have the space so either one will work, but is there that much more you can do with the Carve King over the M3 ? I know it has a large working area, but not sure if I would really need it starting out. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Post by ttabbal on Feb 19, 2019 17:45:53 GMT
It's really more about what you intend to make with it and how patient you're willing to be while it's running. The M3 will need to run a bit slower to maintain accuracy. The belt drive can cause some issues if you try to load the tool at high feed rates. That's not to say it's not a good machine. For the price, it's a very good machine. It can easily compete with other belt drive machines like Shapeoko.
The CK is a screw drive, and is more rigid, so you can run faster without missing steps etc.. You also get a larger work area. How much that matters depends on what you want to make. And you can also tile the toolpaths to make longer parts, though that only really works in one dimension.
I would say that if you are doing this as a hobby and plan to mostly work in soft woods, and don't mind being patient, the M3 is a great starter machine and may well be all you ever need. If you are running a business, time is money and faster is better. You might consider the Power Route there as it can run faster than either and the larger work area can come in handy to make many small parts in the same setup etc.. If you plan to work in metals, rigidity is king.
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Post by Hommer Woods on Feb 19, 2019 18:09:05 GMT
I would agree with everything ttabbal said. I started out with the M3 and upgraded to the Carve King later. I work exclusively in wood so far. While the M3 is a fine machine if you have the money and space to go to the Carve King I would do that.
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mac58
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by mac58 on Feb 19, 2019 18:28:29 GMT
This will be as a hobby and being retired, I would not be in a rush to get it done. So being a little slower is no problem. And I would only be working with different types of wood and acrylic, maybe in the far future that could change. I was more concerned about doing detail work and if the M3 will do that, even at a slower rate. it seems like that will be the best machine for me to start with. I have also been playing around with Easel, but would probably switch over to fusion 360 after I got going.
I could afford the M3 quicker than the Carve King. The space is no problem for either one, plus I already have plans for a enclosure as well as a dust collection system. Thank you for the input.
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rowiac
Full Member
Posts: 230
Location: California
Machine: M3
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Post by rowiac on Feb 19, 2019 20:41:57 GMT
The M3 is definitely capable of doing detail work. The only downside for me is that there are some larger jobs I'd like to do that won't fit on it. On the plus side, it is small enough to make it sort of portable. I've taken it with me on a weekend to do some V-carving away from home.
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mac58
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by mac58 on Feb 19, 2019 21:01:48 GMT
I never thought about it being portable, any idea what the weight is on the machine ?
I do like the fact that it can be used with a laptop also. Makes it that much easier to use for me.
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Post by sternman318 on Feb 19, 2019 22:22:21 GMT
I never thought about it being portable, any idea what the weight is on the machine ? I do like the fact that it can be used with a laptop also. Makes it that much easier to use for me. It's around 20-30 lbs, it can certainly fit int he trunk of most cars. |
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mac58
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by mac58 on Feb 19, 2019 23:32:32 GMT
Thank you for the information. One more question, with the electronics mounted on the side of the machine. Is there any problem with dust on the electronics ? I can make a 3 sided cover for it if I needed to. It will be in a enclosure.
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Post by Bruce on Feb 20, 2019 12:39:30 GMT
Thank you for the information. One more question, with the electronics mounted on the side of the machine. Is there any problem with dust on the electronics ? I can make a 3 sided cover for it if I needed to. It will be in a enclosure. There are all kinds of options to make an enclosure for the M3 electronics. Do a search on the this forum for ideas. |
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Post by James@fireaxe on Feb 24, 2019 13:54:44 GMT
The CK is portable too! It weighs about 40 or 50 pounds. It is bulky to handle. I had a friend help me load and unload in back cab of my 2016 F150. I transported it to a customer's house that is being built to engrave text on a 20ft board.   |
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